Fanfold supply cart

ABSTRACT

Disclosed herein are protective packaging stock material units that are used in a dunnage system. A dunnage system includes a dunnage conversion machine and a supply station. The supply station is a cart that includes a biased support that is connected to a vertical side support. The biased support is movable from an open position to a closed position with respect to opposing vertical side supports. In the closed position, the biased support is configured to at least partially block the opening between the opposing vertical side supports. In the open position, the biased support leaves the opening between the opposing vertical side supports sufficiently open to load fanfold stock material therein. The biased support is biased towards the closed position and the open position. The supply station also includes an alignment device forming a funnel positioned under its base. The alignment device receives a dunnage machine stand base causing the supply cart to consistently align with the stand base in response to the stand base being slid into engagement with the alignment device.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser.No. 15/593,144, filed May 17, 2017, which is incorporated herein byreference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention is in the field of protective packaging systems andmaterials, particularly storage and dispensing devices for fanfoldmaterial used in the protective packaging systems.

BACKGROUND

In the context of paper-based protective packaging, paper sheet iscrumpled to produce dunnage. Most commonly, this type of dunnage iscreated by running a generally continuous strip of paper into a dunnageconversion machine that converts a compact supply of stock material,such as a roll of paper or a fanfold stack of paper, into a lowerdensity dunnage material. The supply of stock material, such as in thecase of fanfold paper, is pulled into the conversion machine from astack that is either continuously formed or formed with discrete sectionconnected together. The continuous strip of crumpled sheet material maybe cut into desired lengths to effectively fill void space within acontainer holding a product. The dunnage material may be produced on anas-needed basis for a packer. With the continuous production of thedunnage material, stocking of fanfold material for dispensing through adunnage machine is a continuous task. This continuous operation resultsin a need to continuously restock the stock material supply. Restockingthe material supply risks the material falling out. Restocking thematerial supply also involves aligning the dunnage machine and thesupply cart.

SUMMARY

In accordance with various embodiments a dunnage system is providedherein. The dunnage system may include a dunnage machine having a standhaving a stand base with a low-friction device configured to allow thestand to move relative to the ground. The dunnage system may alsoinclude a stock material supply cart for supporting stock material. Thestock material supply cart may include a base that supports the stockmaterial and a low-friction device configured to allow the base to moverelative to the ground. At least one of the stand base or the stockmaterial supply cart base may include an alignment device defined by twoconverging docking members forming a funnel thereon. The alignmentdevice may be configured to receive the stand base or the stock materialsupply cart base not having the alignment device causing the stand andthe stock material supply cart to consistently align together inresponse one of the stand base or the stock material supply cart basebeing received into the other.

The alignment device may be positioned on the stock material supply cartbase. The two converging docking members may include two opposingflanges extending from the bottom of the base. The opposing flanges maybe angled with respect to one another. The opposing flanges may have anarrow side and a wide side. The narrow side may include flange endsthat are closest to one another and the wide side includes flange endsthat are farther from each other. The alignment device receives thestand base on the narrow side such that the flanges pass between casterson the stand base, and as the dunnage machine and the supply cart movetoward one another, the flanges and the casters are positioned in closerproximity to one another. The alignment device may be configured suchthat the flanges contact a portion of the dunnage machine base once thesupply cart and dunnage machine are properly positioned relative to oneanother. The contact limits the supply cart and the dunnage machine frommoving further toward one another and limits transverse movementrelative to one another. The supply cart includes a gap between the wideend of the flanges and the at least one of the one or more low-frictiondevices that is sufficient to receive a support member of the standbase.

In accordance with various embodiments a fanfold stock material supplycart. The fanfold stock material supply cart includes a bottom support,opposing vertical side supports, and a biased support. The opposingvertical side supports extend from the bottom support. The opposingvertical side supports define a storage volume that retains the fanfoldstock material supply. The opposing vertical side supports retain thefanfold stock material in the transverse directions. The biased supportis connected to at least one of the opposing vertical side supports andis movable from an open position to a closed position with respect tothe opposing vertical side supports such that in the closed position.The biased support may be configured to at least partially block theopening between the opposing vertical side supports, and in the openposition the biased support leaves the opening between the opposingvertical side supports sufficiently open to load fanfold stock materialtherein. The biased support is biased toward the closed position.

The biased support may be biased in both the closed and open positions.The biased support may extend substantially the entire height of thestorage volume. The opposing vertical side supports may be fixedrelative to the bottom support. The bias in the closed position and theopen position is caused by gravity as the biased support raises thenlowers as the biased support travels from the first position to thesecond position. The biased support may include at least one of a trackor a follower. The biased support moves in a nonlinear path from theopen position to the closed position. The non-linear path may be definedby a track that is configured to bias the biased support in the open andclosed positions. The non-linear path may be concaved upwards. The trackmay receive a stud on an adjacent wall. The cart may include a secondbiased support that moves in the same plane as the first biased support.The first biased support retains a first transverse end of the fanfoldmaterial and the second biased support retains a second transverse endof the fanfold material. The first biased support and the second biasedsupport have a gap there between that is suitable in size to allow auser to access and daisy-chain the stock material together.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawing figures depict one or more implementations in accordancewith the present concepts, by way of example only, not by way oflimitations. In the figures, like reference numerals refer to the sameor similar elements.

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of an embodiment of a dunnage conversionsystem;

FIG. 1B is a rear view of the embodiment of FIG. 1A of the dunnageconversion system;

FIG. 1C is a side view of the embodiment of FIG. 1A of the dunnageconversion system;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of part of the embodiment of the dunnageconversion machine of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 3 is a front view of the cart of the dunnage conversion system ofFIG. 1A shown with one door closed and one door detached in an explodedview;

FIG. 4A is a top view of the cart and dunnage conversion machine of FIG.1A;

FIG. 4B is a detailed view of detail I-I taken from FIG. 4A;

FIG. 5A is a detailed view of detail II-II taken from FIG. 1A with thewall portion in an open position;

FIG. 5B is a detailed view of detail II-II taken from FIG. 1A with thewall portion in a closed position;

FIG. 6A is a bottom view of the cart and dunnage conversion machine ofFIG. 1A shown in an engaged position; and

FIG. 6B is the cart and the dunnage conversion machine of FIG. 1A shownin a disengaged position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A system and apparatus for converting a stock material into dunnage isdisclosed. The present disclosure is generally applicable to systems andapparatus where supply material, such as a stock material, is processed.The stock material is processed by longitudinal crumple machines thatform creases longitudinally in the stock material to form dunnage or bycross crimple machines that forms creases transversely across the stockmaterial. The stock material may be stored in a roll (whether drawn frominside or outside the roll), a wind, a fan-folded source, or any othersuitable form. The stock material may be continuous or perforated. Theconversion apparatus is operable to drive the stock material in a firstdirection, which can be a anti-run out direction. The conversionapparatus is fed the stock material from the repository through a drumin a anti-run out direction. The stock material can be any suitable typeof protective packaging material including for example other dunnage andvoid fill materials, inflatable packaging pillows, etc. Some embodimentsuse supplies of other paper or fiber-based materials in sheet form, andsome embodiments use supplies of wound fiber material such as ropes orthread, and thermoplastic materials such as a web of plastic materialusable to form pillow packaging material. Examples of paper used include30 pound kraft paper, although other styles or weights may be used. Thepaper may be fan folded stock sheets with 30 inch transverse widthsand/or 15 inch transverse widths. Preferably these sheets are fan foldedas single layers. In other embodiments, the multiple layers of sheetscan be fan folded together such that dunnage is made of superimposedsheets that get crumpled together.

The conversion apparatus is used with a cutting mechanism operable tosever the dunnage material. More particularly, the conversion apparatusincluding a mechanism for cutting or assisting the cutting of thedunnage material at desired lengths is disclosed. In some embodiments,the cutting mechanism is used with no or limited user interaction. Forexample, the cutting mechanism punctures, cuts, or severs the dunnagematerial without the user touching the dunnage material or with onlyminor contact of the dunnage material by the user. Specifically, abiasing member is used to bias the dunnage material against or around acutting member to improve the ability of the system to sever the dunnagematerial. The biased position of the dunnage material is used inconnection with or separately from other cutting features such asreversing the direction of travel of the dunnage material.

With reference to FIGS. 1A, 1B, 1C, and 2 a dunnage conversion system 10is disclosed. The dunnage conversion system 10 may include one or moreof a supply of stock material 19 and a dunnage apparatus 50. The dunnageapparatus 50 may include one or more of a supply station 13 and adunnage conversion machine 100. The dunnage conversion machine 100 mayinclude one or more of a converting station 60, a drive mechanism 250,and a support 12. Generally the dunnage conversion system is operablefor processing the stock material 19. In accordance with variousembodiments, the converting station 60 includes an intake 70 thatreceives the stock material 19 from a supply station 13. The drivemechanism 250 is able to pull or assist in pulling the stock material 19into the intake 70. In some embodiments, the stock material 19 engagesan intake bar 200 prior to the intake 70. The intake bar 200 may includea shaping member 210 suitable to cause the stock material 19 to begincurving before entering the intake 70. The drive mechanism 250, inconjunction with edge 112, assists a user in cutting or severing dunnagematerial 21 at a desired point. The dunnage material 21 is convertedfrom stock material 19, which is itself delivered from a bulk materialsupply 61 and delivered to the conversion station for converting todunnage material 21 and then through the drive mechanism 250 and thecutting edge 112.

In accordance with various examples, as shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, thestock material 19 is allocated from a bulk supply shown as multipleunits of stock material 300 a-e. The stock material 19 can be stored asstacked bales of fan-fold material. However, as indicated above, anyother suitable type of supply or stock material may be used. The stockmaterial 19 can be contained in the supply station 13. In one example,the supply station 13 is a cart 34 movable relative to the dunnageconversion system 10. The cart 34 includes side walls 140 a, 140 b. Theside walls can define 140 a, 140 b a magazine 130 suitable to containmultiple units of stock material 300 that the stock material 19 can bepulled from. In other examples, the supply station 13 is not moveablerelative to the dunnage conversion system 10. For example, the supplystation 13 may be a single magazine, basket, or other container mountedto or near the dunnage conversion system 10.

The stock material 19 is fed from the supply side 61 through the intake70. The stock material 19 begins being converted from dense stockmaterial 19 to less dense dunnage material 21 by the intake 70 and thenpulled through the drive mechanism 250 and dispensed in a anti-run outdirection A on the out-feed side 62 of the intake 70. The material canbe further converted by the drive mechanism 250 by allowing rollers orsimilar internal members to crumple, fold, flatten, or perform othersimilar methods that further tighten the folds, creases, crumples, orother three dimension structure created by intake 70 into a morepermanent shape creating the low-density configuration of dunnagematerial. The stock material 19 can include continuous (e.g.continuously connected stacks, rolls, or sheets of stock material),semi-continuous (e.g. separated stacks or rolls of stock material), ornon-continuous (e.g. single discrete or short lengths of stock material)stock material 19 allowing for continuous, semi-continuous or noncontinuous feeds into the dunnage conversion system 10. Multiple lengthscan be daisy-chained together. Further, it is appreciated that variousstructures of the intake 70 on longitudinal crumpling machines can beused, such as those intakes forming a part of the converting stationsdisclosed in U.S. Pat. Pub. No. 2013/0092716, U.S. Publication2012/0165172, U.S. Publication No 2011/0052875, and U.S. Pat. No.8,016,735. Examples of cross crumpling machines include U.S. Pat. No.8,900,111.

In one configuration, the dunnage conversion system 10 can include asupport portion 12 for supporting the station. In one example, thesupport portion 12 includes an inlet guide 70 for guiding the sheetmaterial into the dunnage conversion system 10. The support portion 12and the inlet guide 70 are shown with the inlet guide 70 extending fromthe post. In other embodiments, the inlet guide may be combined into asingle rolled or bent elongated element forming a part of the supportpole or post. The elongated element extends from a floor base configuredto provide lateral stability to the converting station. In oneconfiguration, the inlet guide 70 is a tubular member that alsofunctions as a support member for supporting, crumpling and guiding thestock material 19 toward the drive mechanism 250. Other inlet guidedesigns such as spindles may be used as well.

In accordance with various embodiments, the advancement mechanism is anelectromechanical drive such as an electric motor 11 or similar motivedevice. The motor 11 is connected to a power source, such as an outletvia a power cord, and is arranged and configured for driving the dunnageconversion system 10. The motor 11 is an electric motor in which theoperation is controlled by a user of the system, for example, by a footpedal, a switch, a button, or the like. In various embodiments, themotor 11 is part of a drive portion, and the drive portion includes atransmission for transferring power from the motor 11. Alternatively, adirect drive can be used. The motor 11 is arranged in a housing and issecured to a first side of the central housing, and a transmission iscontained within the central housing and operably connected to a driveshaft of the motor 11 and a drive portion, thereby transferring motor 11power. Other suitable powering arrangements can be used.

The motor 11 is mechanically connected either directly or via atransmission to a drum 17, shown in FIG. 2, which causes the drum 17 torotate with the motor 11. During operation, the motor 11 drives the drum17 in either a anti-run out direction or a reverse direction (i.e.,opposite of the anti-run out direction), which causes drum 17 todispense the dunnage material 21 by driving it in the anti-run outdirection, depicted as arrows “A” in FIGS. 1C and 2, or withdraw thedunnage material 21 back into the conversion machine in the directionopposite of A. The stock material 19 is fed from the supply side 61 ofthe intake 70 and over the drum 17, forming the dunnage material 21 thatis driven in the anti-run out direction “A” when the motor 11 is inoperation. While described herein as a drum, this element of the drivingmechanism may also be wheels, conveyors, belts or any other suitabledevice operable to advance stock material or dunnage material throughthe system.

In accordance with various embodiments, the dunnage conversion system 10includes a pinch portion operable to press on the material as it passesthrough the drive mechanism 250. As an example, the pinch portionincludes a pinch member such as a wheel, roller, sled, belt, multipleelements, or other similar member. In one example, the pinch portionincludes a pinch wheel 14. The pinch wheel 14 is supported via a bearingor other low friction device positioned on an axis shaft arranged alongthe axis of the pinch wheel 14. In some embodiments, the pinch wheel canbe powered and driven. The pinch wheel 14 is positioned adjacent to thedrum such that the material passes between the pinch wheel 14 and thedrum 17. In various examples, the pinch wheel 14 has a circumferentialpressing surface arranged adjacent to or in tangential contact with thesurface of the drum 17. The pinch wheel 14 may have any suitable size,shape, or configuration. Examples of size, shape, and configuration ofthe pinch wheel may include those described in U.S. Pat. Pub. No.2013/0092716 for the press wheels. In the examples shown, the pinchwheel 14 is engaged in a position biased against the drum 17 forengaging and crushing the stock material 19 passing between the pinchwheel 14 and the drum 17 to convert the stock material 19 into dunnagematerial 21. The drum 17 or the pinch wheel 14 is connected to the motor11 via a transmission (e.g., a belt drive or the like). The motor 11causes the drum or the pinch wheel to rotate.

In accordance with various embodiments, the drive mechanism 250 mayinclude a guide operable to direct the material as it is passes throughthe pinch portion. In one example, the guide may be a flange 33 mountedto the drum 17. The flange 33 may have a diameter larger than the drum17 such that the material is kept on the drum 17 as it passes throughthe pinch portion.

The drive mechanism 250 controls the incoming dunnage material 19 in anysuitable manner to advance it from a conversion device to the cuttingmember. For example, the pinch wheel 14 is configured to control theincoming stock material. When the high-speed incoming stock materialdiverges from the longitudinal direction, portions of the stock materialcontacts an exposed surface of the pinch wheels, which pulls thediverging portion down onto the drum and help crush and crease theresulting bunching material. The dunnage may be formed in accordancewith any suitable techniques including ones referenced to herein or onesknown such as those disclosed in U.S. Pat. Pub. No. 2013/0092716.

In accordance with various embodiments, the conversion apparatus 10 canbe operable to change the direction of the stock material 19 as it moveswithin the conversion apparatus 10. For example, the stock material ismoved by a combination of the motor 11 and drum 17 in a forwarddirection (i.e., from the inlet side to the anti-run out side) or areverse direction (i.e., from the anti-run out side to the supply side61 or direction opposite the anti-run out direction). This ability tochange direction allows the drive mechanism 250 to cut the dunnagematerial more easily by pulling the dunnage material 19 directly againstan edge 112. As, the stock material 19 is fed through the system anddunnage material 21 it passes over or near a cutting edge 112 withoutbeing cut.

Preferably, the cutting edge 112 can be curved or directed downward soas to provide a guide that deflects the material in the out-feed segmentof the path as it exits the system near the cutting edge 112 andpotentially around the edge 112. The cutting member 110 can be curved atan angle similar to the curve of the drum 17, but other curvature anglescould be used. It should be noted that the cutting member 110 is notlimited to cutting the material using a sharp blade, but it can includea member that causes breaking, tearing, slicing, or other methods ofsevering the dunnage material 21. The cutting member 110 can also beconfigured to fully or partially sever the dunnage material 21.

In various embodiments, the transverse width of the cutting edge 112 ispreferably about at most the width of the drum 17. In other embodiments,the cutting edge 112 can have a width that is less than the width of thedrum 17 or greater than the width of the drum 17. In one embodiment, thecutting edge 112 is fixed; however, it is appreciated that in otherembodiments, the cutting edge 112 could be moveable or pivotable. Theedge 112 is oriented away from the driving portion. The edge 112 ispreferably configured sufficient to engage the dunnage material 21 whenthe dunnage material 21 is drawn in reverse. The edge 112 can comprise asharp or blunted edge having a toothed or smooth configuration, and inother embodiments, the edge 112 can have a serrated edge with manyteeth, an edge with shallow teeth, or other useful configuration. Aplurality of teeth are defined by having points separated by troughspositioned there between.

Generally, the dunnage material 21 follows a material path A as shown inFIG. 1C. As discussed above, the material path A has a direction inwhich the material 19 is moved through the system. The material path Ahas various segments such as the feed segment from the supply side 61and severable segment 24. The dunnage material 21 on the out-feed side62 substantially follows the path A until it reaches the edge 112. Theedge 112 provides a cutting location at which the dunnage material 21 issevered. The material path can be bent over the edge 112.

As discussed above, any suitable stock material may be used. Forexample, the stock material may have a basis weight of about at least 20lbs., to about, at most, 100 lbs. Examples of paper used include 30pound kraft paper. The stock material 19 comprises paper stock stored ina high-density configuration having a first longitudinal end and asecond longitudinal end that is later converted into a low-densityconfiguration. The stock material 19 is a ribbon of sheet material thatis stored in a fan-fold structure, as shown in FIG. 1A, or in corelessrolls. The stock material is formed or stored as single-ply or multipleplies of material. Where multi-ply material is used, a layer can includemultiple plies. It is also appreciated that other types of material canbe used, such as pulp-based virgin and recycled papers, newsprint,cellulose and starch compositions, and poly or synthetic material, ofsuitable thickness, weight, and dimensions.

In various embodiments, the stock material units may include anattachment mechanism that may connect multiple units of stock material(e.g., to produce a continuous material feed from multiple discretestock material units). Preferably, the adhesive portion facilitatesdaisy-chaining the rolls together to form a continuous stream of sheetmaterial that can be fed into the converting station 70.

Generally, the stock material 19 may be provided as any suitable numberof discrete stock material units. In some embodiments, two or more stockmaterial units may be connected together to provide a continuous feed ofmaterial into the dunnage conversion machine that feeds through theconnected units, sequentially or concurrently (i.e., in series or inparallel). Moreover, as described above, the stock material units mayhave any number of suitable sizes and configurations and may include anynumber of suitable sheet materials. Generally, the term “sheet material”refers to a material that is generally sheet-like and two-dimensional(e.g., where two dimensions of the material are substantially greaterthan the third dimension, such that the third dimension is negligible orde minimus in comparison to the other two dimensions). Moreover, thesheet material is generally flexible and foldable, such as the examplematerials described herein.

In some embodiments, the stock material units may have fanfoldconfigurations. For example, a foldable material, such as paper, may befolded repeatedly to form a stack or a three-dimensional body. The term“three-dimensional body,” in contrast to the “two-dimensional” material,has three dimensions all of which are non-negligible. In an embodiment,a continuous sheet (e.g., sheet of paper, plastic, or foil) may befolded at multiple fold lines that extend transversely to a longitudinaldirection of the continuous sheet or transversely to the feed directionof the sheet. For example, folding a continuous sheet that has asubstantially uniform width along transverse fold lines (e.g., foldlines oriented perpendicularly relative to the longitudinal direction)may form or define sheet sections that have approximately the samewidth. In an embodiment, the continuous sheet may be folded sequentiallyin opposite or alternating directions to produce an accordion-shapedcontinuous sheet. For example, folds may form or define sections alongthe continuous sheet, which may be substantially rectangular.

For example, sequentially folding the continuous sheet may produce anaccordion-shaped continuous sheet with sheet sections that haveapproximately the same size and/or shape as one another. In someembodiments, multiple adjacent section that are defined by the foldlines may be generally rectangular and may have the same first dimension(e.g., corresponding to the width of the continuous sheet) and the samesecond dimension that is generally along longitudinal direction of thecontinuous sheet. For example, when the adjacent sections are contactingone another, the continuous sheet may be configured as athree-dimensional body or a stack (e.g., the accordion shape that isformed by the folds may be compressed, such that the continuous sheetforms a three-dimensional body or stack).

It should be appreciated that the fold lines may have any suitableorientation relative to one another as well as relative to thelongitudinal and transverse directions of the continuous sheet.Moreover, the stock material unit may have transvers folds that areparallel one to another (e.g., compressing together the sections thatare formed by the fold lines may form a three-dimensional body that isrectangular prismoid) and may also have one or more folds that arenon-parallel relative to the transvers folds.

Folding the continuous sheet at the transvers fold lines forms ordefines generally rectangular sheet sections. The rectangular sheetsections may stack together (e.g., by folding the continuous sheet inalternating directions) to form the three-dimensional body that haslongitudinal, transverse, and vertical dimensions. As described above,the stock material from the stock material units may be fed through theintake 70 (FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 2). In some embodiments, the transversedirection of the continuous sheet (e.g., direction corresponding to thetransverse dimension 302 is greater than one or more dimensions of theintake 70. For example, the transverse dimension of the continuous sheetmay be greater than the diameter of a generally round intake. Forexample, reducing the width of the continuous sheet at the start thereofmay facilitate passage thereof into the intake. In some embodiments, thedecreased width of the leading portion of the continuous sheet mayfacilitate smoother entry and/or transition or entry of a daisy-chainedcontinuous sheet and/or may reduce or eliminate catching or tearing ofthe continuous sheet. Moreover, reducing the width of the continuoussheet at the start thereof may facilitate connecting together ordaisy-chaining two or more stock material units. For example, connectingor daisy-chaining material with a tapered section may require smallerconnectors or splice elements than for connecting a comparable sheet offull width. Moreover, tapered sections may be easier to manually alignand/or connect together than full-width sheet sections.

As described above, the dunnage conversion machine may include a supplystation (e.g., supply station 13 (FIGS. 1A-1C)). In accordance withvarious embodiments, the supply station 13 is any structure suitable tosupport the stock material 19 and allow the material to be drawn intothe intake 70. As illustrated in FIGS. 1A-6B, the supply station 13 is acart 34 that is separately movable relative to the dunnage conversionmachine 100. In various other examples, as illustrated in FIGS. 4A-4B,the supply station 13 is mounted to the dunnage conversion machine 100.The supply station may support the stock material 19 in one or moreunites. FIGS. 1A-C illustrate the supply station 13 supporting aplurality of stock material units, e.g., units 300 a, 300 b, 300 c, 300d, and/or 300 e. It should be noted, however, that support member 220may support a plurality of units and/or the cart 34 may support a singleunit. Each of the stock material units 300 a, 300 b, 300 c, 300 d,and/or 300 e may be placed into the supply station 13 individually andsubsequently may be connected together after placement. Hence, forexample, each of the stock material units 300 a, 300 b, 300 c, 300 d,and/or 300 e may be suitability sized to facilitate lifting andplacement thereof by an operator. Moreover, any number of stock materialunits may be connected or daisy-chained together. For example,connecting together or daisy-chaining multiple stock material units mayproduce a continuous supply of material.

In accordance with various embodiments, as shown FIG. 3, the stocksupply 13 is a movable storage container. For example, the stock supply13 may form a part of a cart 34. In this way, the stock supply 13 maymove relative to the dunnage conversion machine 100. Either one or bothof the stock supply 13 and the dunnage conversion machine 100 can besupported on casters, wheels, gliders, runners, or similar low-frictiondevices. For example, the stock supply cart 34 includes casters 36 thatallow the stock supply cart 34 to be moved toward or away from thedunnage conversion machine 100. The low-friction devices (e.g., casters36, wheels, sliders, gliders etc.) may be mounted to a base 37 allowingthe base 37 to move along the floor. In various examples, the dunnageconversion machine 100 includes a stand 12 that also includes base 15that may be supported on casters, wheels, gliders, sliders, runners, orsimilar low-friction devices such as casters 24. This allows the stand12 to be moved toward or away from cart 34.

In some embodiments, the cart 13 may also include a guide bar 134 thatis positioned to redirect the stock material 19 as the stock material 19is pulled from a unit of stock material (e.g. 300 a) and into the drivemechanism 250 of the dunnage machine 100.

In accordance with various embodiments, the cart may also includeupright supports suitable to support transverse ends of the stockmaterial 19. In various examples, the upright supports may includegenerally vertical walls 140 a, 140 b that extend from the base 37. Invarious examples, these vertical walls are fixed relative to the base37.

In some embodiments, the interior surfaces 141 a, 141 b of the walls 140a, 140 b provide the support against the units 300 of stock material 19discussed above. In other embodiments, the walls 140 a, 140 b supportand/or form other features of the cart 34. For example, as shown inFIGS. 1A-C and 3 the front vertical support/wall 142 and/or the rearsupports/walls 150 a and 150 b may extend from the walls 140 a, 140 b.The vertical support wall 142 may be contiguous extending between thevertical walls 140 a, 140 b and/or the vertical support wall 142 mayhave transverse sections 142 a, 142 b that limit the movement of thestock material 19 proximal to the transverse ends of the stock material19. In other embodiments, the front vertical supports/walls 142 a, 142 band/or the rear supports/walls 150 a and 150 b may alternatively oradditionally extend from the base 37. In accordance with someembodiments, the generally vertical walls 140 a, 140 b may be thinwalls, tubular walls, or walls with other suitable cross-sections thatare sufficient to support the stock material 19 in the transversedirections 302 or support one or more of the front or rear verticalwalls such as walls 150 a, 150 b. In one example, the vertical walls 140may form a portion of a boxed structure formed from sheet metal,polymer, carbon fiber, composite or other suitable material orcombination of materials. In another example, the vertical walls 140 a,140 b may be generally vertical tubes that are sufficient to providetransverse support to the stock material 19. Front and/or rear walls maystill extend from the vertical tubes or the base.

In accordance with various embodiments, the front 142 a, 142 b and/orrear walls 150 a, 150 b may be suitable to limit or prevent the stockmaterial units 300 from being inserted into or removed from the cart 34.This includes limiting the units 300 from tipping or falling out of thecart 34. It may also be appreciated that the cart 34 is periodicallyrefilled with units of stock material 300. In order to do this, eitherthe front or rear walls are removed or are sufficiently adjustable toallow the stock material units 300 to be loaded into the cart 34. Forexample, one or more sets of the vertical supports/walls may beadjustable such that they open and close. In a particular example, asshown in FIGS. 1A-5B, the rear supports/walls 150 a and 150 b aremovable.

In accordance with various embodiments, cart 34 includes at least onewall portion (e.g. 150 a or 150 b) that moves such that in one positionit has an overlap 147 with the stock material 19 such that the wallportion limits the stock material from falling out and in a secondposition there is no overlap with the stock material 19, allowing stockmaterial to be removed or loaded onto the cart 34. In one example, thewall movement is generally horizontal in the general direction 149 shownin FIG. 4B. In other embodiments, the door may swing, pivot, or drop outof the way of the overlap with the stock material 19.

As indicated above, the cart 34 includes at least one wall portion (e.g.150 a or 150 b). However, in a preferred embodiment the cart 34 includestwo wall portions 150 a and 150 b that oppose one another. The two wallportions 150 a and 150 b overlap with each of the transverse ends of thestock material units 300, preventing or limiting them from falling outof the cart, being removed from the cart, or being loaded into the cartwhile in a closed position. The remaining embodiments discussed hereinwill refer to this embodiment having opposing wall portions, whileunderstanding fully that each of the embodiments may also function andbe utilized with a single wall portion. In accordance with variousembodiments, the wall portions 150 a and 150 b are respectively attachedto vertical walls 140 a and 140 b via a sliding mechanism. In oneexample, the sliding mechanism is a biased sliding mechanism that limitsmovement of the wall portions 150 a and 150 b when in at least one ofthe open and closed positions but preferably in both the open and closedpositions. In one example, the sliding mechanism includes a track (e.g.152 a) and a follower (e.g. 155 a) for the track. Either the track orthe follower can be stationary, and in reverse either the tack or thefollower can be in movement. In the example as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B,the track 153 a is located in the wall 150 a and the follower 156 aextends through the track and is connected to the wall 140 a. In thisexample, the follower 156 a is stationary and formed of any suitablehardware capable of engaging with and guiding the track 153 a. Suchhardware can include standoffs, rollers, etc. Preferably, the standoffincludes a head that is wider than the track such that the standoff headholds the wall (e.g. 150 a) onto the adjacent wall (e.g. 140 a).Preferably, the interaction between the track and the standoff is suchthat the friction between the two is minimal, allowing for the wall toeasily slide there between.

In accordance with various embodiments, the bias mechanism biases thewall portions 150 a and 150 b in both the open position and the closedposition. In one example, the track portion has ends that are at adifferent height than the middle portion of the track. This forms anon-linear path in the track. When the track is located on wall portions150 a and 150 b, the ends are higher than the middle (i.e. concaveupward). When the track is located on wall 140 a and 140 b, the ends arelower than the middle (i.e. concave downward). The wall portions 150 aand 150 b are pulled downwardly by gravity, and as such under either ofthese configurations of the track, the follower (e.g. standoff 156 asshown in FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B) is biased to the end portion of the track(e.g. 153 a as shown in FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B). Thus, to move the wallportions from open to closed, a user lifts the wall portions whilesliding in the direction of 149 b (see FIG. 5B). While moving the wallportions from closed to open, a user lifts the wall portions whilesliding in the direction of 149 a (see FIG. 5A). In various embodiments,a grip 159 a is provided to allow a user to manipulate the wall portionsin both the vertical (e.g. lifting to overcome the biased position) andhorizontal directions (e.g. to open or close). In one example, the grip159 a is a knob that protrudes from the wall portions, but other devicessuitable for manipulating the wall portions can be used as well,including other types of handles that protrude or recess into the wallportions. Preferably, the grip 159 a is located proximal to the middleof each of the wall portions 150 a and 150 b.

As discussed above, the cart 34 is suitable to hold multiple units ofstock material. These units of stock material may extend a partial wayup the height of the cart 34 or approximately the entire height of thecart 34. To limit movement of all of the units of stock material (e.g.300 a-f), the door preferably extends approximately the entire height ofthe stock material storage area of the cart 34. For purposes herein,approximately the entire height of the storage area relates to asufficient height such that if the storage area of the cart 34 is fullyloaded with units of stock material, then the wall portions 150 a and150 b would overlap at least a portion of all of the units of stockmaterial loaded therein.

As the wall portions 150 a and 150 b may have a significant height asdiscussed above, each of the wall portions may include multiple biasedsliding mechanisms. For example, wall portion 150 a may include a track152 a near the top end of the wall portion, a track 153 a near themiddle portion of the wall portion, and a track 154 a near the bottomportion of the wall portion. Correspondingly, the vertical wall 140 acan include a follower 155 a near the top end of the wall, a follower155 a near the middle portion of the wall portion, and a follower 155 anear the bottom portion of the wall portion. Similarly, the wall portion150 b may include a track 152 b near the top end of the wall portion, atrack 153 b near the middle portion of the wall portion, and a track 154b near the bottom portion of the wall portion. Correspondingly, thevertical wall 140 b can include a follower 155 b near the top end of thewall, a follower 155 b near the middle portion of the wall portion, anda follower 155 b near the bottom portion of the wall portion.

As the wall portions 150 a and 150 b slide relative to the verticalwalls 140 a and 140 b, an issue of friction can arise between the twosurfaces. As such, a friction reducer (e.g. 158 a) can be locatedbetween the two surfaces. The friction reducer can be a low frictionmaterial, a lubricant, or another item sufficient to reduce the frictionbetween the wall portions 150 a and 150 b to slide relative to thevertical walls 140 a and 140 b. In one example, the fiction reducer canbe a second material that the wall portions 150 a and 150 b ride on suchas polytetrafluoroethylene, acetal, or similar low friction materials.The friction reducer can form a part of the sliding mechanism, and assuch can be located proximal to each of the standoffs or the tracksdiscussed above. Alternatively, they can be located elsewhere along thevertical walls or the wall portions. In one example, a friction reducer158 a is located proximal to each of the followers on the wall 140 a anda friction reducer 158 b is located proximal to each of the followers onthe wall 140 b.

As the stock material 19 is loaded on and off of the cart 34, the stockmaterial 19 may not be aligned perfectly and may therefore interferewith the closing of the wall portions 140 a and 140 b. To mitigate thisinterference, each of the wall portions may include a ramped edge 151 aand 151 b as variously shown in FIGS. 4A-5B. The ramped edge is locatedon the leading side of the wall portions 150 a and 150 b or, statedanother way, the side of the wall portion that is directed toward thestock material 19 and the middle of the cart 34 as opposed to theoutside of the cart 34. The ramped edge 151 a and 151 b may also bedirected rearwardly away from the paper so that as the wall portions 150a and 150 b slide toward and over the stock material 19, the veryleading tip of the ramped edges 151 a and 151 b clears the paper,allowing the rest of the body of the wall portions 150 a and 150 b tocontinue sliding and potentially forcing the stock material 19 intoalignment within the cart 34.

As discussed above, the wall portions 150 a and 150 b may oppose eachother such that they overlap with the transverse ends of the stockmaterial. In some embodiments, the overlap 147 may be so substantialthat there is little to no space between the wall portions 150 a and 150b proximal to the middle of the cart 34. In other embodiments, theoverlap 147 is sufficiently minor so that only the transverse edges areblocked, leaving open a significant space between the opposing wallportions 150 a and 150 b. This space may be significant enough to removethe strap assemblies 500 discussed in more detail below. This space maybe significant enough to splice together the units of stock material,also discussed in more detail below.

As described above, the dunnage conversion machine may include a supplystation (e.g., supply station 13 (FIGS. 1A-2)). For example, each of thestock material units 300 a may be placed into the supply stationindividually and subsequently may be connected together after placement.Hence, for example, each of the stock material units 300 a-300 f may besuitably sized to facilitate lifting and placement thereof by anoperator. Moreover, any number of stock material units may be connectedor daisy-chained together. For example, connecting together ordaisy-chaining multiple stock material units may produce a continuoussupply of material.

As described above, the stock material unit may include a continuoussheet that may be repeatedly folded to form or define athree-dimensional body or stack of the stock material unit. Except asdescribed herein, the stock material unit 300 c may be similar to thestock material unit 300 b, which may be similar to the stock materialunit 300 a, and so on. For example, a continuous sheet may be repeatedlyfolded in opposing directions along transverse fold lines to formsections or faces along the longitudinal direction of the continuoussheet such that adjacent sections may fold together (e.g.,accordion-like) to form the three-dimensional body of each of the stockmaterial units 300.

The stock material units may include one or more straps that may securethe folded continuous sheet (e.g., to prevent unfolding or expansionand/or to maintain the three-dimensional shape thereof). For example,strap assemblies 500 may wrap around the three-dimensional body of thestock material unit, thereby securing together the multiple layers orsections (e.g., formed by accordion-like folds). The strap assemblies500 may facilitate storage and/or transfer of the stock material unit(e.g., by maintaining the continuous sheet in the folded and/orcompressed configuration). Units 300 a-f include the strap assemblies500 removed.

For example, when the stock material unit 300 is stored and/ortransported, wrapping the three-dimensional body of the stock materialunit 300 and/or compressing together the layers or sections of thecontinuous sheet that defines the three-dimensional body may reduce thesize thereof. Moreover, compressing together the sections of thecontinuous sheet may increase rigidity and/or stiffness of thethree-dimensional body and/or may reduce or eliminate damaging thecontinuous sheet during storage and/or transportation of the stockmaterial unit 300.

Generally, the strap assemblies 500 may be positioned at any number ofsuitable locations along the transverse dimension of any of the stockmaterial units 300. In the illustrated embodiment, the strap assemblies500 are positioned on opposite sides of the unit. In some embodiments,another stock material unit may be placed on top of each of the stockmaterial units with 300 a shown on top of 300 b such that the bottomsection and/or portion of the continuous sheet of unit 300 a contactsthe exposed portion(s) of the stock material unit 300 b. Generally,stock material units may be similar to or the same as one another.Moreover, a connector of a splice member that is included with the stockmaterial unit 300 a may be attached to the stock material unit 300 b.For example, the adhesive layer of the connector that is attached to thestock material unit 300 b may face outward or upward.

Moreover, as mentioned above, the stock material unit 300 b may be thesame as the stock material unit 300 a. For example, the stock materialunit 300 b may include a connector that may be oriented to have anadhesive thereof face upward or outward. Hence, an additional stockmaterial unit may be placed on top of the stock material unit 300 b,such as to connect together the continuous sheet of the stock materialunit 300 b with the continuous sheet of another stock material unit(e.g. unit 300 a). In such manner, any suitable number of stock materialunits may be connected together and/or daisy-chained to provide acontinuous feed of stock material into the dunnage conversion machine.

In some embodiments, as discussed in detail above, the stock materialunit 300 may be bent or have an arched shape. For example, unit 300 emay be bent while unit 300 a is flat. In some examples all units arebent. In other examples no units are bent. The stock material units 300a-d include splice members 400 a-d. The stock material unit 300 a-d maybe bent in the manner that protrudes the connector of the splice member400 a outward relative to other portions of the stock material unit 300a-d. The splice member 400 a is configured to daisy-chain unit 300 a tounit 300 b. The splice member 400 b is configured to daisy-chain unit300 b to unit 300 c. The splice member 400 c is configured todaisy-chain unit 300 c to unit 300 c. The splice member 400 d isconfigured to daisy-chain unit 300 d to unit 300 e. Stacking or placinganother, additional stock material unit on top of the bent stockmaterial unit may facilitate contacting the adhesive layer of theconnector with the continuous sheet of the additional stock materialunit. This daisy-chaining may be performed between the wall portions 150a and 150 b.

The strap assemblies 500 may be spaced from each other along a traversedirection of the three-dimensional body of the stock material units. Forexample, the strap assemblies may be spaced from each other such thatthe center of gravity of the three-dimensional body is located betweentwo strap assemblies 500. Optionally, the strap assemblies 500 may beequidistantly spaced from the center of gravity. In various embodiments,the strap assemblies still fit in the space between the wall portions150 a and 150 b so that the strap assemblies 500 can be accessed evenwhen the wall portions 150 a and 150 b are closed, as shown in FIG. 5B

As described above, the stock material units 300 a-f (or in someembodiments one unit 300 is used) may be placed into a dunnageconversion machine 100 forming the dunnage system 50. Additionally oralternatively, multiple stock material units (e.g., similar to or thesame as the stock material unit 300) may be stacked on top of another inthe dunnage conversion machine. The stock material unit may include oneor more strap assemblies 500. For example, the strap assemblies 500 mayremain wrapped about the three-dimensional bodies of the stock materialunits after placement and may be removed thereafter (e.g., the strapassemblies 500 may be cut at one or more suitable locations and pulledout).

Furthermore, it should be appreciated that, generally, thethree-dimensional body of any of the stack material units describedherein may be stored, transported, used in a dunnage conversion machine,or combinations thereof without any wrapping (or strapping) or with moreor different straps or wrappings than the strap assemblies discussedherein. For example, a twine, paper, shrink-wrap, and other suitablewrapping or strapping material may secure together one or more sheetsthat define the three-dimensional body of any of the stock materialunits described herein. Similarly, the above-described method andstructure of supporting the three-dimensional body of the stock materialunit may facilitate wrapping of the three-dimensional body with anynumber of suitable wrapping or strapping materials and/or devices.Further details of the strap assemblies 500 and the daisy-chainingsplice elements 400 are disclosed in application Ser. No. 15/593,007,entitled “Stock Material Units For A Dunnage Conversion Machine” filedconcurrently herewith, which is incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety.

As discussed above and shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the cart 34 movesrelative to the dunnage forming machine 100. The dunnage forming machine100 includes a stand 12 with a base 15. The base 15 includeslow-friction devices 24 such as casters as well as a frame. In oneexample, the frame includes supports 24 and 28. The supports 24 maydefine the transverse limits of the frame and/or the front and rearlimits of the frame. In some examples, the low-friction devices 24 (e.g.casters) are also located at the transverse limits and/or the front andrear limits of the frame. In accordance with various embodiments, analignment device 20 may control and/or position the cart relative to thestand. The alignment device 20 may be positioned on either the cart orthe stand. For simplicity, the alignment device 20 will be discussedherein as being located on the cart, with the understanding that thefeatures and functionality of the cart may be applied to the stand basein accordance with the description and disclosure herein. The alignmentdevice 20 may control the limits and supports discussed above in orderto position the dunnage forming machine 100 in relationship to the cart.

In accordance with various embodiments, the cart 34 includes analignment device 20 that positions the dunnage forming machine 100relative to the cart 34. In one example, the alignment device 20 formspart of the base 37 of the cart 34. In this way, the base 37 of the cart34 interacts directly with the base 15 of stand 12, thereby positioningthe entirety of the dunnage machine 100 relative to the entirety of thecart 34. In one example, the alignment device 20 includes convergingdocking members forming a funnel or wedge shaped structure positioned onthe base 37. The funnel includes a wide side and a narrow side. Usingthe alignment device 20 having a funnel shape, the cart 34 and thedunnage machine 100 can be moved together without initial interference,but as the two devices are moved closer together the interference andthe resultant effect of positioning is increased. For example, thefunnel device can be located on the bottom side of the base 37. As shownin FIG. 6B, the narrow end of the funnel 20 a can be located easilybetween the supports 26 and 28 and the casters 24 located thereon. Asthe dunnage machine 100 and the cart 34 are moved toward one anotheralong direction 23, the funnel widens out to end 20 b. End 20 b maycontact and interfere with the supports 26 and 28 at the interferencelocations 21 a and 21 b (see FIG. 6A), both centering the cart and thedunnage machine with respect to one another and stopping movement towardone another.

In another example, the wide side of the funnel 20 b may capture thesupports 26 and 28 inside of the funnel. As the cart and the dunnagemachine approach each other the funnel constricts, creating greaterengagement and thereby positioning the dunnage machine with respect tothe cart.

In accordance with various embodiments, the converging docking membersdefining the funnel shape structure 20 are two flanges protruding fromthe bottom of cart 34. The two flanges 22 a and 22 b converge toward oneanother forming the funnel shape structure. In accordance with oneembodiment, the end of flange 22 b on the funnel side 20 b may be adistance 28 b away from the casters 36 on the same side that allowssupport 28 to fit there between, securing the desired position. The endof flange 22 a on the funnel side 20 b may be a distance 26 a away fromthe casters 36 on the same side that allows support 26 to fit therebetween, securing the desired position. With both supports 26 and 28secured between the funnel end 20 b and the casters on the siderespective to each of supports 26 and 28, the cart 34 is aligned withthe dunnage machine 100 at the desired distance and center. In someembodiments, the cross member of cart 15 may engage the funnel side 20 ato limit the depth of approach between the cart 34 and the dunnagemachine 100. In this way, the alignment device aligns the stand 12 andbase 15 with the cart 34.

One having ordinary skill in the art should appreciate that there arenumerous types and sizes of dunnage for which there can be a need ordesire to accumulate or discharge according to an exemplary embodimentof the present invention. As used herein, the terms “top,” “bottom,”and/or other terms indicative of direction are used herein forconvenience and to depict relational positions and/or directions betweenthe parts of the embodiments. It will be appreciated that certainembodiments, or portions thereof, can also be oriented in otherpositions. In addition, the term “about” should generally be understoodto refer to both the corresponding number and a range of numbers. Inaddition, all numerical ranges herein should be understood to includeeach whole integer within the range.

While illustrative embodiments of the invention are disclosed herein, itwill be appreciated that numerous modifications and other embodimentsmay be devised by those skilled in the art. For example, the featuresfor the various embodiments can be used in other embodiments. Theconverter having a drum, for example, can be replaced with other typesof converters. Therefore, it will be understood that the appended claimsare intended to cover all such modifications and embodiments that comewithin the spirit and scope of the present invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A dunnage system, comprising: a dunnage apparatusthat includes: a dunnage machine configured to convert stock materialinto low-density dunnage, and a machine support that supports thedunnage machine above a floor; a stock material supply cart thatincludes: a stock material support configured to hold the stockmaterial, and a cart base that supports the stock material support abovethe floor and that includes a low-friction device configured to allowthe stand to move relative to the floor; and an alignment deviceincluding two converging docking members depending from one of thedunnage apparatus and the supply cart disposed at a height selected tointeract with the machine support or the cart base of the other of thedunnage apparatus and the supply cart to position the supply cart withrespect to the dunnage apparatus in an operative position in response tothe supply cart and dunnage apparatus being moved relatively towardseach other, in which operative position the stock material support holdsthe stock material at a location that enables the stock material to befed to the dunnage machine for conversion into the dunnage.
 2. Thedunnage system of claim 1, wherein the stock material support comprisesa magazine configured to hold a plurality of units of the stockmaterial, positioned to be fed to the dunnage machine for conversioninto the dunnage.
 3. The dunnage system of claim 2, wherein the magazineis configured to hold the plurality of units of the stock materialdaisy-chained together as a continuous supply of material.
 4. Thedunnage system of claim 1, wherein the dunnage support includes: a standbase; and an upright stand extending from the stand base andsupportively connected to the dunnage machine.
 5. The dunnage system ofclaim 4, wherein the stand base includes a low friction deviceconfigured to allow the stand base to move relative to the floor.
 6. Thedunnage system of claim 1, wherein the converging docking members areconfigured as a funnel to receive a portion of the other of the dunnageapparatus and the supply cart between the docking members to positionthe dunnage apparatus and the supply cart in the operative position. 7.The dunnage system of claim 1, wherein the converging docking membersare configured as a wedge that is receivable between two portions of theother of the dunnage apparatus and the supply cart to position thedunnage apparatus and the supply cart in the operative position.
 8. Thedunnage system of claim 1, wherein the converging docking members areconfigured as a funnel that receives two portions of the other of thedunnage apparatus and the supply cart to position the dunnage apparatusand the supply cart in the operative position.
 9. The dunnage system ofclaim 1, wherein: the machine support or the cart base of the other ofthe dunnage apparatus and the supply cart include two portions thatinteract with the alignment device to position the supply cart withrespect to the dunnage apparatus in an operative position; and the twoportions include a low-friction device configured to allow the machinesupport or the cart base to move relative to the floor.
 10. The dunnagesystem of claim 1, wherein the alignment device depends from the supplycart.
 11. The dunnage system of claim 1, wherein the alignment device isdisposed at a height near the bottom of the stock material supply cart.12. The dunnage system of claim 1, wherein: the one of the machinesupport and the cart base that has the alignment device includes aportion supported spaced above the floor by a space dimensioned toreceive the other of the machine support and the cart base; and thealignment device extends into the space to interact with the other ofthe machine support and cart base to position the supply cart withrespect to the dunnage apparatus in the operative position.
 13. Adunnage system, comprising: a dunnage apparatus that includes: a dunnagemachine configured to convert stock material into low-density dunnage,and a machine support that supports the dunnage machine above a floor; astock material supply cart that includes: a stock material supportconfigured to hold the stock material, and a cart base that supports thestock material support above the floor and that includes a low-frictiondevice configured to allow the stand to move relative to the floor; andan alignment device including two converging docking members dependingfrom one of the dunnage apparatus and the supply cart disposed at aheight near the bottom of the stock material supply cart and configuredto interact with the other of the dunnage apparatus and the supply cartto position the supply cart with respect to the dunnage apparatus in anoperative position in response to the supply cart and dunnage apparatusbeing moved relatively towards each other, in which operative positionthe stock material support holds the stock material at a location thatenables the stock material to be fed to the dunnage machine forconversion into the dunnage.
 14. A dunnage system, comprising: a dunnageapparatus that includes: a dunnage machine configured to convert stockmaterial into low-density dunnage, and a machine support that supportsthe dunnage machine above a floor; and a stock material supply cart thatincludes: a stock material support configured to hold the stockmaterial, and a cart base that supports the stock material support abovethe floor and that includes a low-friction device configured to allowthe stand to move relative to the floor; wherein at least one of themachine support and the cart base include a portion supported spacedabove the floor by a space dimensioned to receive the other of themachine support and the cart base; and wherein said one of the machinesupport and cart base includes an alignment extending device includestwo converging docking members extending into the space and configuredto interact with the other of the machine support and cart base toposition the supply cart with respect to the dunnage apparatus in anoperative position in response to the supply cart and dunnage apparatusbeing moved relatively towards each other, in which operative positionthe stock material support holds the stock material at a location thatenables the stock material to be fed to the dunnage machine forconversion into the dunnage.
 15. The dunnage system of claim 14, whereinsaid one of the machine support and cart base is the cart base.
 16. Thedunnage system of claim 14, wherein the alignment device extends fromthe cart base lower than the stock material support.
 17. The dunnagesystem of claim 14, wherein: the machine support comprises a stand baseincluding lateral supports on opposite sides of the space and a lowfriction device; and the lateral supports interact with the alignmentextending device to position the dunnage apparatus with respect to thesupply cart in the operative position.
 18. A dunnage system, comprising:a dunnage apparatus that includes: a dunnage machine configured toconvert stock material into low-density dunnage, and a machine supportthat supports the dunnage machine above a floor; and a stock materialsupply cart that includes: a stock material support configured to holdthe stock material, a cart base that supports the stock material supportabove the floor and that includes a low-friction device configured toallow the stand to move relative to the floor, and an alignment deviceincluding two converging docking members configured to interact with thedunnage apparatus to position the supply cart with respect to thedunnage apparatus in an operative position in response to the supplycart and dunnage apparatus being moved relatively towards each other, inwhich operative position the stock material support holds the stockmaterial at a location that enables the stock material to be fed to thedunnage machine for conversion into the dunnage.
 19. The dunnage systemof claim 18, wherein the alignment device is positioned to interact withthe machine support to position the supply cart with respect to thedunnage apparatus in the operative position.
 20. The dunnage system ofclaim 18, wherein: the machine support includes: a stand base that thatincludes a low-friction device configured to allow the dunnage apparatusto move relative to the floor, and an upright stand extending upwardlyfrom the stand base and supportively connected to the dunnage machine;and the alignment device extends from the supply cart at a height tointeract with the stand base to position the dunnage apparatus withrespect to the supply cart in the operative position.